Advice on finishing work

[snowchick1977]

Im after some opinions on my current situation.

Im 30 weeks pregnant with my second baby. Dd is now 18 months old. I work a 50 hour week which is mostly spent on my feet (no option to change workload, reduce hours or adapt role)

I am struggling big time now to carry on. By the end of each working day my feet have swollen and i am exhausted and can hardly walk.

I had a great pregnancy last time with just some swollen ankles towards the end, but this time I feel like crap.

I went to the doctor today to explain the situation and he just said carry on and come back in 3 weeks time. He would not sign me off work as he said it really was too early on in my pregnancy to sign me off.

Just after some advice/opinions really and any advice from ladies who finished work really early.

Im never off sick and im not a moaner but ive just had enough now x

Do you have any holidays left?

When I was in a similar situation (although sedentary job), I used my holidays to take one day a week off (I think it was either Wednesday or Thursday). It was great and made the last few weeks go really fast. In that pregnancy, I gave up work at 34 weeks, but was reasonably fit and healthy.

It's horrible feeling like that, I know how you feel. With my last two pregnancies, I worked until 35 weeks, and still felt great, but last time I was 5 years younger, and worked part-time (am full-time now). I was going to carry on until 35 weeks again, but a few weeks ago decided to bring it forward (and use some holiday), and am finishing at 33 weeks, so next Friday. Some people have been horrified that I'm finishing a whole 7 weeks before the baby is due, but the way I look at it is that I'm growing a baby, and deserve some proper rest (as much as I can with 3DCs at home over the summer holiday!), and I know that after the baby arrives I will be sleep-deprived and knackered for several months. I don't even work as many hours as you, or have such an active job, but now that my maternity leave is just days away, I know that I would have struggled to carry on much longer. My advice to you is, listen to your body, don't feel guilty if you do decide to bring your maternity leave forwards, and simply do what is right for you.

Hey snowchick as the others have said you could take holiday or start mat leave sooner. Tbh though I'd try and see a different doc who might be more sympathetic as if you physically can't do it anymore I don't see why you should be penalised if you place of work can't suggest alternatives.

I have a pressurised (sitting down) job with long hours and every time I see the doc they ask when I'm finishing and how I'm feeling so yours just sounds a bit unsympathetic.

Hope you find a resolution :)

Hello not sure what job you do but I worked 50 hours a week as a home carer/cleaner so on feet a lot! I found it so hard and altho this is my third like the other lady said I was 5 years younger and worked part time! I managed to battle thru till 35 weeks and felt bad leaving then ! I'm now 39 and bores to he'll but I really could not have carried on I was becoming unwell because of it .

I'm a teacher and now 31 weeks, worked till last Fri, no where near a 50 hour week but I really struggled for the last half term. It sounds like you need some time off hun. If you've not got any holiday left maybe just take a couple of days sick to recoup and gather your strength again x

Don't feel guilty for finishing early, you need to look after yourself. Last time I had such a tiring on-my-feet full time job and I was in the process of being made redundant too, so I took every bit of holiday i had left and went at 31 weeks. I don't regret it one bit, my body was telling me to stop ! Also, you have an 18 month old, this is a full time job in itself- look after you and your family before work.
but yes agree maybe see a different doc and see if they'll be a bit more sympathetic . Good luck

Good luck OP. Start mat leave early if you can, use your annual leave, remember that during mat leave your annual leave also builds up. You might want to keep hols for when baby is in your arms and I understand, but it is also very important you look after yourself now, as baby is starting to gain weight at this stage, and rest for you now means baby staying inside until term and comes out healthy. Hope you will find a more understanding GP.

Thanks for all your advice. I have 4 weeks annual leave to take but i was trying to save that until nearer to the time.

If i was signed off sick now would i lose my holiday, thinking that i would be signed off for the remainder of my pregnancy and therefore my maternity leave would kick in automatically?

Yes you're right about may leave kicking in. If I were you I'd be canny and take the week sick you can self cert for and see if that makes a difference. Then take a week annual leave when you come back and leave at 32-33 weeks.

I'm a nurse and constantly on my feet. First pregnancy I worked ridiculous hours and ended up with severe pre eclampsia. Went to see the consultant at 34 weeks with swollen feet proteinuria and slightly raised bp and had a c sec at 35 weeks spending a month in hospital. Your gp is being ridiculous. I didn't mean to scare you but you HAVE TO STOP RIGHT NOW! Honestly its not worth the risk.

Im preg again and will be stopping at 32 weeks and really looking after myself. Sod the money and annual leave entitlement your health is worth more.xxx

Agree with other posters you really need to take the time off if you're feeling so rubbish. I'm a waitress & don't work anywhere near 50 hours a week but working 6 days a week is taking its toll & with severe anemia finding it a struggle already at 22 weeks. I'm finishing at 32 weeks, there's no way Ill do longer than this. Have other friends pg at the same time who think I'm nuts finishing so early but with a 5 year old & 22 months old to run around after its not like I'll be bored! Take the time off one way or another if its by seeing another doc or putting your holidays forward then taking early mat leave.